Dear Washington Sportsman, As an avid hunter you have spent time honing your shooting skills, scouting your favorite hunting spot, and preparing for your season opener. The time you have invested can pay off when the season opens. Important details for a successful season include knowing the season dates, GMU restrictions, and recognizing what wildlife species may be present in the area you are hunting.

Be sure of identification of your target animal. While coyotes may be harvested year round; wolves can easily be mistaken for coyotes. Remember wolves are protected under both federal and state law and may not be shot or killed. Please review the Coyote vs. Wolf identification card to assist you while hunting (see: http://wdfw.wa.gov/conservation/gray_wolf/wolf-coyote_compare.pdf ). This card can also be found in the 2013 Washington State Big Game Hunting Pamphlet on page 70.

Thanks for your support of Washington's natural resources. Good luck this season!

Strange... When we told WDFW a few years ago that wolves were among us, they said we were just TOO STUPID and misidentifying them - that they had to be coyotes. I guess I'll still be "misidentifying" them that way when I see them... SSS.